john winthrop's Arbella sermon quote responses

1. “The definition which the scripture gives us of love is this: ‘Love is the bond of perfection.’ [I]t is a bond or ligament. . . . There is no body but consists of parts and that which each part so contiguous to others as thereby they do mutually participate with each other, both in strength and infirmity, in pleasure and pain. . . . Christ and his church make one body. The several parts of this body, considered apart before they were united, were disproportionate and as much disordering as so many contrary qualities or elements, [however, when united], it is become the most perfect and best proportioned body in the world[.]”

· The best results occur when the body is working in harmony and in sync. This is also how it is with a colony. When everyone works together then everything runs smoothly. If there's arguing, however, everything falls arpart. If one part of the body is hurt or isn't working properly, it affects how the rest of the body will run. If one part of a colony isn't working out then its likely that the rest of the colony weren't work out either.

2. “Whatsoever we did or ought to have done when we lived in England, the same must we do, and more also, where we go.”

· In this quote, John Winthrop is saying that the colony must be run how England was run. The colony has to be a reflection of England before it became so corrupt. England was a good place before all the corruption occurred with the Church of England. He thinks the colony will be better off if they act like a better kind of, England with no bribery, corruption, or persecution because of religion. He thinks that just because they have left England doesn’t mean that they have to be completely different and forget where they came from.

3. “Thus stands the cause between God and us. We are entered into covenant with him for this work. We have taken out a commission, the Lord hath given us leave to draw our own articles. We have professed to enterprise these actions . . . . Now if the Lord shall please to hear us, and bring us in peace to the place we desire, then hath he ratified this covenant and sealed our commission, [and] will expect a strict performance of the articles contained in it.”

· If God wants the colony to be in America and work out for the better then that’s how it will be. If God thinks it is the wrong idea, however, it won’t work out. Winthrop trusts God completely and thinks that everything will work out the way it is supposed to. While in America the colonists are going to do God’s work. They will spread his word throughout the area and to all the natives living there. They will follow his word and won’t corrupt it as the Church of England did. The colonists will act perfectly as God would want them to.

4. “[W]hen he shall make us a praise and glory that men shall say of succeeding [colonies], ‘the Lord make it like that of New England.’ For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us[.]”

· New England will be the perfect example of how God’s people should be like. The colonists will be an example to all the surrounding colonies, Native Americans, and to England as well. It is in God’s plan for this colony to succeed and prosper. It was His will for them to leave England and now it is His will that they will come to America to spread His word. They will set an example for what the true and right way to practice their religion is. Everyone will be watching them to see what they are doing and to follow them. They will be the “city upon a hill.”